Disorientation was the only thing enshrouding his world like a thick, heavy blanket pulled over his eyes, restricting his senses for the briefest of periods. He managed to ground himself, forcing his body to go down to one knee as he stared at a fixed point in order for his vision to realign itself.
"Strange, most people don't suffer quite as badly as you do with the travel." The little immortal muttered, looking down at him like he was a peasant at her feet, which to her he probably was. He refused to give her the satisfaction that she most likely sought in seeing his discomfort, so he forced himself upright, a bright smile on his face as he rose. His frame shadowed hers when he was at full height, not that it meant much if she was really that powerful, but it made him feel like he had more dignity in the matter.
His eyes finally set on the young auburn haired girl in front of him. The first thing he noticed was that her eyes were a pretty shade of silver that gleamed when she stood in the moonlight, they almost contrasted against his own eyes due to the sheer vibrant brilliance of his platinum coloured irises. "Where are we, and who are you?" He asked quizzically. Looking around it wasn't hard for him to piece things together considering what the girl had previously mentioned. "Oh, so this must be Olympus. Funny, never really wanted to visit Greece." He commented casually before continuing to let his eyes scan the surroundings.
They were stood at the peak of a mountain, atop a grand set of steps carved from stone that led all the way down to a huge pavilion that had to be at least half a mile down maybe more. There were ornate fountains and houses all built with brilliant degree of architecture that seemed to somehow compliment one another. Along the higher sides of the mountain were numerous much larger buildings, all of different designs and aesthetics. Were they the holy grounds belonging to these Gods?
"Olympus moved with the western civilization, so, actually we're above Manhattan. The Empire State building to be precise, and to answer your other question, I am Lady Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt as well as a few other things." She told him, only to her amusement when his eyes widened slightly.
"I am not familiar with Greek customs however I would give you the respect that I have learnt to give others. Greetings Lady Artemis." He said with the utmost respect as he kneeled in front of her, bowing his head low. She didn't take him for the spineless type, nor was his current display indicating anything of the sort, no, he was genuinely trying to give Artemis a respectful greeting, which she appreciated more than she was going to let on.
She acknowledged this with a wave of her hand before the grand set of doors that they were currently standing beside swung open, revealing a huge room filled with thrones in the shape of a central U. He followed the Goddess inside where she started to grow until she was big enough to accommodate the throne. She closed her eyes and focused for a moment before others all flashed in as well. The room was huge, laden with gold ornamental designs flowing around the room and thrones beautifully. Whomever had designed this place, and the rest of Olympus, definitely deserved some recognition as it was truly befitting for Gods.
He wasn't sure how long he'd spent turning on his heels admiring the craftsmanship of the interior decor but he'd finally realized that all of the thrones were occupied. He could string along a few bits of logic to place some names to faces but he was honestly fairly clueless as to who was who, even more so as to the etiquette these Gods would expect from him. He'd be happy kneeling and showing respect but beyond that he wasn't sure quite how he was going to appease any of them.
Here he was, surrounded by Gods and yet all he had was his axe. He wasn't sure that he wanted to anger the Gods, especially not Zeus. It would be bad enough to be struck down with an element from his own domain.
"Artemis why have you summoned us, and who is that?" Zeus asked, pointing right at him as he stood directly in the center of everyone with arms folded. He surveyed the room and tried his best to remember the Olympian Gods of legend. Zeus, Poseidon. Was Hades an Olympian? He didn't think so, he couldn't see a twelve foot Marilyn Manson type.
"I had been tracking an incredible power for some days now, unsure as to whether it was a renegade immortal or just a higher breed monster. This was the source of the power. He is a Demigod there's no doubt about that and he summoned a bolt of lightning that would rival your own father." Artemis told them, no emotion was present in her voice as she glanced back at him. It almost felt like she'd put him in a bad negotiating position with that tidbit of information. He felt like scowling at her but frankly couldn't. She'd probably have knifed him for it.
"Well he's not mine. I would have claimed a son of strength much earlier than this. He's nearly of full age. Does anyone here claim the boy here and now?" Zeus boomed around the room. None spoke up, all watching with interest as the events unfolded around them. He watched as their reactions to the silence all differed somewhat. The one with stormy grey eyes seemed to adopt a certain sadness over her, whereas the leather clad biker God grinned.
"Then the course of actions is clear to me. We cannot allow him to live, he could be a threat to Olympus. I am sorry young Demigod. Before you meet your end, I would have you tell us your name." Zeus looked back at him, watching as he stood impassive to the obvious promise of death. They were going to kill him? Unlikely. Who said that he was unclaimed? He really didn't want to have to use his failsafe, but this was one of those cases where if he didn't, he was literally going to die a horrible death at the hands of a God.
"Perseus." He called up, unfolding his arms.
Zeus scowled slightly, gripping the air tighter, forming a writhing bolt of lightning that slowly became solid form as the seconds went onwards, "And your last name? Out with it boy, we will honour you later on." He told him casually. It was beyond him how they could be talking about murdering him so casually, their justification being that he would be 'honoured' further down the line.
It was his turn to scowl at the King of the Gods, massive disrespect had been thrown his way, and it was simply not in his nature to stand and take it. "Odinson".
Their world slowed to a halt as that name whipped around the throne room. His eyes took on that same hue of energy as it did when he'd turned the Cyclops into ash. He'd managed to summon an extremely powerful being into their throne room as the moment Zeus had unleashed his master weapon at the boy.
A great horse and a figure the same size as the other Gods appeared in a flash of white. The master bolt reflected harmlessly off of the shield on the man's side. In his opposing hand he held a spear that almost vibrated with a dark aura. It was evidently clear than anyone unlucky enough to be hit by that was going to die a slow and painful death.
"Who dares interrupt my council!?" Zeus boomed angrily, standing from his throne. The smell of ozone erupted around the throne room. Artemis couldn't help but lean forwards in anticipation, this was where things were getting interesting.
The horse and shield faded into nothing, leaving an elderly man to stare down the Olympians alone. He was huge, even for a God. He was clearly one who had seen many battles in his time.
"Odin. Allfather, the King of Asgard. Tell me Zeus, do you believe yourself above me?" Odin asked, his voice strong as he made his casual advance towards the God, causing Zeus to plaster himself to his throne in shock. No one dared to speak for fear of the Allfather turning on them next. Once Odin was content with the fact that no one had the stoned to interrup he turned to Perseus.
"Son, you've done me proud. I would like to say that you're going to come with me and return to Asgard but you haven't been tested yet. Your name remains with your mother's. I, Odin, set the claim to my throne to my son Perseus that should he prove worthy he be known as Perseus Odinson and receive what is rightfully his." Odin gave his son a serious smile before he disappeared completely. As quick as the interaction was, Perseus was mostly just glad that his father had actually shown up. It wasn't part of his trials for him to have help from Odin but desperate times called for desperate measures, and being killed by an element from Perseus' own likeness was definitely a desperate situation.
The tone in the throne room had shifted so irreversibly, but Perseus was preoccupied with trying to figure out exactly how would he prove himself to be worthy? Complete an impossible task? He had a knack for doing the impossible so he wasn't even sure that would prove himself worthy or if it would even truly challenge him.
"Tell me boy, was that as surprising to you as it was to us?" A God with bright green eyes asked Perseus after a moment of silence. He leaned forwards ever so slightly as if analysing the Son of Odin when awaiting the boy to answer. Perseus assumed that this God was Poseidon, it had to be. The calming sensation came over him as he looked into the sparkling emerald eyes of the God of the seas, the relaxing motion of waves emanating from the older man but he knew damn well that nothing had the ability to change motion like that of the oceans. Calm and dazzlingly smooth seas could turn into wrathful thunderous cyclone on the flip of a coin. That was one God that he had the sense not to get on the bad side of unnecessarily, the other being Hades but seeing as he wasn't currently present, that didn't present much of an issue.
Perseus regarded Poseidon with an immediate respect, above all else he just got the feeling that he'd get along with him, that alone warranted the respect in Perseus' mind. "I knew he would come, I am the heir to Asgard after all but I never expected him to lay down my claim. That's interesting." Percy muttered to himself quietly. He seemed to fade his focus for a moment before he quickly regained his senses and looked around the council, taking slightly longer to gaze upon Artemis than the few others he'd granted eye contact with.
"I should leave," He said, addressing the King of the Gods once again, "I should think that the less interaction I have with you the better, and you'll probably get by a lot smoother without someone like me roving around your midst." He explained as he sucked his teeth slightly. Someone like him. Those words had been thrown around him a lot recently, but it was people that didn't really understand what HE was. It was far easier for people to believe that he was just a bit strange, that was all the mortals could really see or understand, but for the Gods sitting in the grand throne room in front of him, even they would struggle to fully understand his unusual origin, so to them he would happily have them believe that he was a Demigod, this much they'd clearly already assumed anyway.
"You said that very strangely." The woman with the calculating grå coloured eyes narrowed her gaze when she addressed him. She was running a thousand things through her analytical mind every second that they were there. "You're hiding something." She concluded with confidence.
He'd planned on not having to go into it but she'd busted him damn quickly, "Aye, technically. It's just that, well, you called me a Demigod, but that isn't the case, while it's true that I am only half Æsir, I am not simply half Human, but it IS complicated and I do not really wish to go into it. The summation is that I am not a mortal, though I am not immortal, I can probably still be killed, however one day I shall rise to Asgard and eventually take my place as King. Once I managed to achieve whatever it is that I must achieve." Perseus muttered the last part as far more of a moan than anything else. It clearly vexed him that his task was literally to achieve the unachievable, and that was what it meant for him to become a God King.
"Yes, quite the task you've been given." Zeus mused, stroking his beard slightly as he was deep in thought about the information he'd been given. The King of the Gods spared a glance at his brother by his side, there was an unspoken conversation happening that only they were privy to, completely held in glances and facial expressions.
"So, as interesting as this has been I need to go and find myself some kind of impossible tasks and try to crack on with that which sounds like it might take me awhile, so I'd like to get started. Shall I see myself out, or?" Perseus asked, leaving the question hanging in the air. He hooked a thumb towards the door over his shoulder, hoping that someone would give him confirmation that he could leave without being incinerated for accidentally offending the Gods of Olympus.
"Not so fast." He heard a far more feminine voice garner his attention. The voice itself was warm, it invaded his head for a few seconds before he forced himself to shake it off. What the Hell was that?
"I don't know what you're doing but you'd better cut that shit out right now." He said, rubbing a hand across his eyes as if he could actually wipe away whatever was clouding his mind. A few of the Gods started to murmur to one another quietly as this.
"Oh you're a strong one, you're REALLY strong. No 'mortal' has ever resisted my charmspeak, you'd be the first if you were a Demigod. Damn, no one has even come close to the fight that you're putting up. Just give in to me." She said, laying the charm on even thicker than before.
They could all see the effect that it was having. It wasn't serving to make him actually hand control over to her but actually the opposite. His irritation was growing with each passing second as the Goddess tried harder and harder to get him to do what she wanted.
Small sparks began to dance around his head as he grunted in pure determination to kick the Goddess out of his head. After another moment passed everyone watched in stunned silence as the Goddess sat upright in her throne with a mixture of surprise and mild horror written across her face.
"He… He has fully resisted me." She said slowly. What did this mean for her power? Was she getting weaker, was that how he was able to resist? No, it couldn't be. Love was flourishing, her domain was historically at its peak, and it would continue to be that way for a long time. It had to be the boy…
"He's stronger than most Gods, he's… I don't even know how to describe it. The sheer level of willpower and determination is overpowering my most potent charmspeak." The Goddess explained. Her face turned sour for a moment as she considered what this would mean for her reputation before she returned to what she'd initially wanted to do.
"Swiftly moving on, if you're after an impossible task then I believe it would be fitting for you to find acceptance from the Goddess of the Hunt. She was the one who brought you to our midst, she has an iron reputation as a Goddess wholly intolerant of the male species and given her track record, I think this might be quite the impossible task." She told him, her sour face shifting to one of intrigue and mischief.
It took a moment but after he'd finished kicking the Goddess out of his head he finally looked up to the source of the voice. The first thing he noticed was that she had a constantly shifting appearance. The other Gods noticed this as well, yet another round of surprise falling over them, "Aphrodite, your appearance can't decide on what it wants to do." Athena told her quite obviously.
"It seems that the boy doesn't know who he wants. Interesting." Aphrodite muttered, not happy with the ever changing appearance moving at this rate.
"I know what I like, it just isn't you, not after you tried to invade my mind. You'll never be able to look inside my head again, that's why your self tailoring trait won't sit still." Perseus told her with a scowl on his face. Never in her life had Aphrodite met anyone like him, she was fascinated by him and was going to take every opportunity to fully explore this new development. She'd never slept with a Norse God before.
"You mentioned a challenge? If the success of it proves me worthy then I will undertake anything you Gods issue me with." Perseus told them, folding his arms again.
Zeus grumbled for a moment, "Aphrodite believes that if he can get Artemis to accept him for who he is then that would mean he'd have completed an impossible challenge and shown himself worthy of his father's claim. Does anyone dispute that this would be a worthy challenge?" Zeus asked the council, it seemed that he himself rather liked the idea though he masked it well, or at least better than the others did.
Perseus knew of Artemis and her great Hunt, he knew the basic philosophy and concept behind it all as well as the reason WHY it would prove to be a challenge for him. The Hunters would not take kindly towards a man and maybe that was why Zeus was seriously considering it. He must have seen it as a form of payback for not being able to smite Perseus in the first place. Petty revenge was CLEARLY not below any of them.
"Then it is settled. Boy you will join Artemis' hunt until either she likes and accepts you and you return to Asgard or she kills you. Know this Artemis my word is final and you are not to kill him without genuine upstanding reason, the actions have the potential to start a painful war with the Asgardians, while I believe we would survive, it would be unnecessary and extremely painful. Everyone dismissed, begone." Zeus bellowed, instantly quelling any arguments that his daughter was about to make. Perseus noticed the immense look of hatred on Artemis' face when she turned to look at her newest Hunter.
"Well, it looks like the girls have a new practice dummy." Artemis smiled coldly. She had to get something positive out of it.
A/N: Grå is Norwegion for Grey. Æsir is a race of 'higher' Norse Gods, basically the Olympions of Norse mythology.